Member-only story
The Insurrection and Prison Terms
There are many times the legal system shows how biased it is with people of color. The prison terms given to participants in the January 6 insurrection are another dramatic example. Mostly white conservative Americans are receiving months, to a few years in prison. When pro-independence activists attacked Congress in the 1950s, no matter the cause, they received terms that were 25 years behind bars.
They wanted independence for Puerto Rico and saw themselves as political prisoners of colonial power. They were people of color.
The Capitol Shaman received four years, three months. This is so far the longest sentence. It averages less than a year. According to the Washington Post:
Among 300 federal cases, an Associated Press review found that contrary to claims of leniency, 120 charged were convicted of serious crimes, and more than 70 sentenced as of Aug. 30 have gotten an average of about 27 months behind bars, with at least 10 receiving prison terms of five years or more.
Remember, that Puerto Rican nationalists received multi-decade sentences. Yes, they opened fire on members, but the people who assaulted Congress on J-6 also had murderous intent. So far these people are getting off easy.